Mental Health: A study among Ph.D. Research Scholars

The present study aimed to examine the mental health status of Ph.D. research scholars enrolled at Sardar Patel University. Utilizing a random sampling method, data were collected from doctoral students across various departments. The Mental Health Scale developed by Dr. D.J. Bhatt and G.R. Gida was employed to assess participants' mental health. The key independent variables considered in the study were gender, area of residence (urban/rural), and academic stream. An independent samples t-test was used to analyze the data. The results revealed a statistically significant difference in mental health based on gender, indicating that gender plays an important role in the mental well-being of doctoral students. However, no significant differences were observed with respect to area and academic stream. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive mental health support initiatives in higher education settings, especially for research scholars coping with academic stress and related challenges.